The motivation behind Trump’s immigration policy

Dany Bahar, David M. Rubenstein Fellow in the Global Economy and Development program, discusses the Trump administration’s decision not to extend immigration protections for El Salvadorian immigrants in the United States, their earlier decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival Program (DACA), and their other efforts to curtail immigration. Bahar explains the legal and economic aspects of immigration policy and argues that immigration has a positive impact on the U.S. economy.

"We have been in Central America for a long time. It’s not just money that has made us effective in the region — there is a lot of hard-earned experience, trial and error, and institution building that is slowly reaping results. The worst thing that could happen now is to go back to zero."

"Cutting aid to Central American countries would be a mistake, since U.S. aid dollars fund programs that reduce violence, strengthen the justice system, and encourage investment that make them more attractive places for their citizens."